FIIO FP3 Planar In-Ear Monitor

Mini planar Mini wooden bowl
In Q3 of 2022, FIIO began research and development on “mini planar” IEMs. Unlike over-ear headphones with large planar drivers, creating a planar IEM posed unique challenges. The goal was to retain the characteristic high resolution and wide frequency response associated with planar drivers within the limited space of an IEM while also ensuring quality bass response and an overall full sound. This was not easy to achieve, and reaching these goals required breaking industry norms and taking an innovative approach.

After two years of meticulous work, we created the FiiO FP3, featuring a second-generation, entirely self-developed 14.5mm planar driver. The diaphragm thickness is merely 1μm, the thinnest among its peers, achieved in part thanks to FiiO’s new dual-coating patented technology. The driver was designed to deliver excellent sound quality and impressive dynamics. The FP3’s appearance draws inspiration from a “mini wooden bowl.” Prominent on the FP3 is pure wood faceplate, with options for rosewood or walnut finishes. Each earbud weighs only about 6.5g and features ergonomic enhancements for comfortable and worry-free wear.

Facing problems head-on, Breaking through them
2nd gen self-developed 14.5mm in-ear planar driver
The FP3 is equipped with FIIO’s second generation, self-developed 14.5mm in-ear planar driver. The planar driver has been designed from the ground-up by FiiO, from the diaphragm, to the patented dual-coating, to the conductive trace width, to the fine-tuning of the magnetic circuit, and even the standardized bracket fixings. Compared to typical off-the-shelf drivers, the self-developed driver can be completely customized to build and fit around it a sophisticated acoustic system, allowing the driver to achieve significant breakthroughs in sound quality. Thanks to this intensive research and development, the FIIO FP3 features a large, almost limitless soundstage rarely found among its peers. It also effortlessly produces deep bass and detailed treble up to 40kHz, allowing you to fully dive into the music.

A true standout 1μm ultra-thin diaphragm
Engineers have constantly strived to achieve thinner and lighter diaphragms for planar drivers. After two years of independent research and development, we have created a class-leading 1μm ultra-thin diaphragm, using high-performance PET as the substrate. The difference between even a 2μm and a 1μm diaphragm thickness results in noticeable performance differences when the diaphragm is vibrating at high speeds, which ultimately affects sound quality. The FP3’s 1μm ultra-thin diaphragm is exceptionally lightweight, allowing it to respond with lightning-quick speed. It faithfully reproduces even subtle sounds in the ultra-high frequency range, as well as providing exceptional dynamic range.

Dual-stacked, Finely-tuned frequency response
Titanium + Aluminum dual-coating patented technology
The FIIO FP3 employs a newly self-developed technology for its planar driver – a patented dual-coating system. The planar driver uses high-performance PET as the diaphragm substrate and selectively applies aluminum and titanium to create a dual-coated driver. Such a design enhances the driver’s frequency response across different frequency ranges, improves audio resolution, and allows listeners to fully appreciate the nuanced sound quality of planar drivers. The first coating layer is made of aluminum. Lightweight and conducive, the aluminum coating enhances the traces’ conductivity, helping to reduce the IEM’s impedance and power requirements. The second coating layer is made of titanium. With its high hardness, the titanium coating contributes to the diaphragm’s rigidity and enhances treble resolution and overall transparency.

Advanced technology for advanced sound 28 nm-grade process technology
In order to achieve high sound quality with the intricate second generation self-developed planar driver, the FP3’s driver needs to be manufactured with precision at the nanometer level. Traditional diaphragm coating processes are not precise enough. To have its driver diaphragm be manufactured with sufficiently high quality, the FIIO FP3’s driver is made using a 28 nm-grade process. This technique, inspired by coating technology used within the semiconductor industry, completely isolates the conductive traces material from the surrounding air. The traces material exist in a vacuum state at a pressure of 6.6 × 10⁻³ pascals, and the temperature is raised to 120°C. The traces material is transformed into ionized particles, which then accumulate on an ultra-thin 1 μm film through charge attraction principles. This process creates the desired coating thickness for optimal acoustics and significantly enhances the durability and lifespan of the traces*. Additionally, the FP3 goes beyond industry standards by applying this complex and rigorous process twice to each diaphragm, resulting in a dual-coated membrane design that delivers exceptional sound quality.

Hair-like thinness
0.055mm ultra-fine conductive traces
The conductive traces on the FIIO FP3’s planar driver were designed according the force principle acting on a coil in a magnetic field, F = BIL*. We leveraged a high-precision 28 nm-grade manufacturing process, allowing the conductive traces on the FP3’s driver to be a width of merely 0.055mm – as thin as a strand of hair. By making each individual trace narrower, we can pack more traces more densely within the effective magnetic field. The total length of the FP3’s traces is 486.5 mm, significantly enhancing the driving force experienced by the diaphragm while simultaneously improving headphone sensitivity.

Balanced force Dual-sided
14 N52 neodymium magnets
In order to achieve a comfortable and lightweight design, the development team decided to place 7 N52 high-performance neodymium magnets on both sides of the FP3’s driver. These magnets are arranged in a 7x2 pattern, totaling 14 in all. The balanced placement of these magnets allows the dual-coated traces to be distributed evenly within the magnetic field. This completes a matrix-style magnetic circuit system, ensuring that the diaphragm experiences balanced forces on both sides. As a result, the diaphragm does not move in irregular ways, which reduces distortion, and achieves high-fidelity sound.

Deeply extended, Dive deep into the music
“Tesla valve” patented bass enhancement acoustic technology
The FIIO FP3 is equipped with the same F.T.B.S.* “Tesla valve” patented bass enhancement acoustic technology as in the FD15. The lengths, angles, and quantities of channels within the IEM’s cavity have been specially calculated to achieve a Tesla valve fluid structure. The result is significantly enhanced and deeply extended yet textured bass.

Triple-level optimizations, First-class comfort for your ears
Specially designed for comfort

High-precision 3D-printed front shell
To balance both lightness and comfort, the FiiO FP3 features a front shell made from high-precision 3D printing. This allows the shell to be flexibly shaped to a design comfortable for ears. This front shell is manually polishing and undergoes UV coating, leading to a luxurious texture.

Reducing the feeling of ear constriction
To break away from the common perception that planar IEMs are bulky and difficult to wear, the FP3 reduces the contact area with the human ear. This minimizes pressure on the earlobe. Combined with the lightweight net weight of the headphones, the result is a comfortable listening experience.

New ear-stable design
Comfortable yet secure planar IEMs are rare. The FiiO FP3 features a specific support structure in the concave auricle area, which improves stability during wear. Effortlessly go out and enjoy planar sound anytime, anywhere.